The effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) on exocrine pancreatic secretion in dogs.

The effect of new hypothalamic peptides, PACAP38 and PACAP27, on exocrine pancreatic secretion was studied in five conscious dogs each with a chronic gastric fistula and a Thomas duodenal fistula. The intravenous injections of PACAP38 and PACAP27 (2.5-100 pmol/kg) induced dose-related increases in pancreatic fluid, bicarbonate, and protein secretion. The potency of PACAP27 was equal to that of VIP but was only 1/100 that of secretin; PACAP38 was less active (less than 1/10) than PACAP27. PACAP38 and PACAP27, in contrast to secretin and VIP, stimulated protein secretion; the potency of the former was about 1/10 that of the latter. The peak response to PACAP27 was about 44% of the maximal response to CCK8. Pancreatic protein secretion, but not fluid and bicarbonate secretion, in response to PACAP38 and PACAP27 was significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced by atropine. It is concluded that PACAP has a VIP-like action on pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate secretion in conscious dogs, but differs from VIP in stimulating protein secretion via a cholinergic mechanism.     

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide, secretin, and glucagon on human duodenal bicarbonate secretion

Duodenal luminal acidification increases duodenal mucosal bicarbonate production and also releases both secretin and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The effect of these two structurally similar peptides on human duodenal bicarbonate production has not been examined in humans. Our purpose was therefore to assess the effect of VIP and secretin and also glucagon, a homologous hormone, on human duodenal bicarbonate secretion. A 4-cm portion of either proximal or distal duodenum was isolated and perfused with iso-osmolar NaCl. Pure porcine VIP (200 and 400 pmol/kg-h intravenously) significantly increased proximal duodenal bicarbonate secretion. Although secretin (0.01 to 0.18 CU/kg-h intravenously) markedly increased pancreatic bicarbonate secretion, it failed to alter duodenal mucosal bicarbonate output in either the proximal or the distal duodenum. Glucagon (1 to 8 micrograms/kg-h intravenously) did not affect proximal duodenal mucosal bicarbonate output. It is concluded that VIP, but neither secretin nor glucagon, significantly stimulates human duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion.     

The Effect of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide on Porcine Pancreaticobiliary Bicarbonate Secretion Is mediated by secretin

Glad H, Svendsen P, Ainsworth MA, Olsen O, Rehfeld JF, Schaffalitzky de Muckadell OB. The effect of gastrin-releasing peptide on porcine pancreaticobiliary bicarbonate secretion is mediated by secretin. Scand J Gastroenterol 1994;29:195-202.

The effect of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) (250, 500, 1000pmol/kg-h) on the pancreaticobiliary bicarbonate secretion, the pancreatic protein secretion, and the plasma concentrations of secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK) was studied in the anaesthetized pig. Infusion of GRP (1000 pmol/kg-h) increased the portal plasma concentrations of secretin from 0.9 to 13.6pmol/l and CCK from 1.2 to 38.4pmol/l, the pancreatic bicarbonate secretion from 0.01 to 5.6mmol/h, the hepatic bicarbonate secretion from 0.5 to 4.1mmol/h, and the pancreatic protein secretion from 3 to 680mg/h. Blocking of CCK-A receptors by MK-329 did not significantly change the effect of GRP, whereas prevention of secretin release by removal of the small intestine caused a 13-fold reduction in the GRP-induced pancreatic bicarbonate secretion and completely abolished the effect on hepatic bicarbonate secretion but did not change the effect on pancreatic protein secretion. We conclude that the effect of GRP on pancreaticobiliary bicarbonate secretion is not mediated through the release of CCK but more likely through the release of secretin and that the effect on pancreatic protein secretion is possibly a direct effect of GRP.     

Action of neurotensin on duodenal alkaline secretion in rats. Comparison with pancreatic and gastric secretion]

Neurotensin is released from endocrine N cells of the ileum after meals, and might take part in the regulation of bicarbonate secretion by the pancreas and duodenum. The aim of this study was to define the effect of neurotensin on duodenal bicarbonate secretion, in comparison with its effect on gastric and pancreatic secretions. Neurotensin produced a dose-related increase of duodenal bicarbonate secretion with an ED50 of 60 pmol/kg.h. The maximal effect (about 2 times the basal level) was observed with 600 pmol/kg.h. Equimolar doses (600 pmol/kg.h) of xenopsin, neuromedin N, neurotensin 8-13 produced the same effect as neurotensin 1-13. Neurotensin fragments 1-11 and 9-13 (600 pmol/kg.h) had no significant effect on duodenal bicarbonate secretion. Indomethacin, atropine, naloxone, or the CCK antagonist L364,718 had no effect on neurotensin-stimulated bicarbonate secretion. Hexamethonium and vagotomy reduced the neurotensin effect by about 50 percent (P less than 0.05). Neurotensin produced a dose-related increase of pancreatic bicarbonate secretion with an ED50 of 150 pmol/kg.h, a decrease of gastric acid secretion with an ED50 of 2,400 pmol/kg.h, and a decrease of gastric pepsin secretion with an ED50 of 2,760 pmol/kg.h. This study shows that neurotensin stimulates duodenal bicarbonate secretion in doses which may be physiological. This biological activity depends on the presence of the C-terminal 8-13 fragment. The mechanism is complex, and depends, for approximately half, on vagal fibers (sensitive or motor), nicotinic synapses, and a non cholinergic effector. The other half of the effect, still unexplained, could be a direct effect on mucosal cells. Pancreatic and duodenal bicarbonate secretions were more sensitive to neurotensin than gastric secretion (acid and pepsin).     

Effect of Stimulation of Mucosal HCO‐ Secretion on Acid-Induced Injury to Porcine Duodenal Mucosa

The effect of stimulation of duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on acid-induced damage to the duodenal mucosa was studied in anaesthetized pigs in which bile and pancreatic juice were diverted from the duodenum. Mucosal damage was quantitatively assessed histologically, and mucosal blood flow was determined by means of radioactively labelled microspheres. Compared with placebo, intravenous infusion of VIP (500 pmol/kg/h) significantly stimulated duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion (47 ± 13 versus 249 ± 53 μmol/h) without concomitant changes in mucosal blood flow (51.5 ± 7.8 versus 48.5 ± 9.1 ml/min/100g) or arterial bicarbonate concentration (24.2 ± 1.1 versus 23.4 ± 0.9 mM). The same dose of VIP increased the acid disappearance rate in the duodenum (2.2 ±0.14 versus 3.3 ± 0.09 mmol/h) and reduced the extent of damage to the duodenal surface (16 ± 2% versus 7 ± 2%) during duodenal infusion of 0.03 M HC1 but not 0.1 M HCI. We conclude that the protection offered by VIP against the small dose of acid is most likely secondary to the effect of VIP on mucosal bicarbonate secretion. Thus, this study suggests that duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion, independent of mucosal blood flow, is an integral factor in duodenal mucosal defence.     

Characterization and distribution of binding sites for the hypothalamic peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide

A novel bioactive peptide was recently isolated from ovine hypothalamus and was named PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide). PACAP was present in two bioactive, amidated forms, PACAP27 and PACAP38 (27 and 38 amino acids, respectively), and showed a 68% sequence homology with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the N-terminal 28 residues. PACAP38 was at least 1000 times more potent than VIP in stimulating adenylate cyclase in pituitary cells, but both peptides exhibited comparable vasodepressor activity. Thus, we sought to determine whether PACAP acts on specific binding sites in the anterior pituitary or other tissues and whether these binding sites are different from those of VIP. Binding of [125I] PACAP27 to freshly prepared rat anterior pituitary membranes in the presence and absence of 212 nM unlabeled PACAP27 was specific, saturable, and more rapid at 22 C than at 4 C. Scatchard analysis of this binding site using increasing doses of unlabeled PACAP27 revealed a single high affinity site with a Kd of 446 +/- 141 pM and a maximum number of sites of 1312 +/- 182 fmol/mg protein. These results do not exclude the possibility of a second pituitary binding site with significantly lower affinity. Unlabeled PACAP38 and PACAP38OH exhibited significantly higher affinity binding (3- to 5-fold) than PACAP27 with a similar number of pituitary sites. A variable distribution of binding sites was observed between PACAP27 and VIP when binding to different tissue membranes was measured with 125I-labeled peptides. Very high specific binding of both PACAP27 and VIP was observed in lung membranes. An almost identical relative magnitude of binding was observed between PACAP27 and VIP in lung, liver, duodenum, ovary, and thymus. However, whereas PACAP27 binding to hypothalamic and pituitary membranes was great, VIP binding to these tissues was almost absent. To determine if VIP and PACAP might share a binding site in peripheral tissues, displacement curves were generated using [125I]PACAP27 binding to lung membranes and VIP, PACAP27, and PACAP38 as unlabeled ligands. VIP was highly potent in displacing [125I] PACAP27 binding in lung membrane, and the IC50 values for all three of these peptides were between 1-10 nM. These results suggest that 1) a saturable, high affinity binding site for PACAP is present on anterior pituitary membranes; 2) PACAP27 and PACAP38, but not VIP, share this binding site in the anterior pituitary and possibly the hypothalamus; and 3) PACAP27, PACAP38, and VIP share a similar or identical binding site on lung membranes and possibly other peripheral tissues.     

Morphine inhibits secretion of bicarbonate from the human duodenal mucosa. Possible role of endogenous opioids in the regulation of human duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion

Mucus and bicarbonate secreted from the epithelium are thought to be important for the protection of the duodenal mucosa against acid and pepsin, but so far little is known about the regulation of human duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion. After isolating a segment of the proximal human duodenum from gastric and pancreaticobiliary secretion we quantified the secretion of bicarbonate from the human duodenal mucosa. The method was evaluated by measurements of basal and prostaglandin E1 analogue-stimulated bicarbonate secretion. The duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion was inhibited 70% after intravenous infusion of morphine in a dose of 73.6 micrograms/kg/h and increased after intravenous administration of naloxone. Thus, the inhibition is most likely mediated by mu-receptors, and the results suggest a role of endogenous opioids in the regulation of the secretion of bicarbonate from the human duodenal mucosa.     

Inhibition of cholecystokinin-stimulated pancreaticobiliary output in man by the cholecystokinin receptor antagonist MK-329.

MK-329 (formerly L-364,718) is a new nonpeptide antagonist for the peripheral (type-A) cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor, which has proved effective in blocking the actions of both exogenous and endogenous CCK in several species. To evaluate the effect of MK-329 on CCK-stimulated pancreaticobiliary output in man, six normal subjects received 10 mg MK-329 or placebo orally in a randomized, crossover fashion, before a background intravenous infusion of secretin (5 pmol/kg/h) and two doses of CCK-8 (approximately 15 and 40 pmol/kg/h, each for 1 h). Gastric and duodenal juice were aspirated separately via two double-lumen tubes, with 51Cr-ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid as a duodenal marker. After placebo treatment the background infusion of secretin produced maximum plasma concentrations of secretin similar to postprandial values, averaging about 5 pM. After placebo treatment the low dose CCK-8 infusion (15 pmol/kg/h) increased circulating CCK concentrations from basal levels of 1.8 +/- 0.2 pM to levels similar to those observed postprandially, averaging 9.2 +/- 1.3 pM, and the high dose of CCK-8 (40 pmol/kg/h) induced supraphysiologic levels of CCK, averaging 23.4 +/- 3.2 pM. Plasma concentrations of secretin and CCK were not significantly different during MK-329 treatment. As expected, infusion of CCK-8 at both doses stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion and gallbladder contraction in placebo controls, as indicated by increases in the output of trypsin, amylase, bicarbonate, and bilirubin. Whereas MK-329 did not significantly reduce basal pancreatic secretion, the integrated incremental output of trypsin, amylase, and bicarbonate in response to stimulation with the low (physiologic) CCK dose was inhibited by 74% (p less than 0.01), 89% (NS), and 75% (p less than 0.05), respectively. Basal bilirubin output was virtually abolished after treatment with MK-329, and the response to the low dose of CCK was reduced by 98% (p less than 0.01), indicating almost complete inhibition of gallbladder contraction at physiologic circulating concentrations of CCK. It is concluded that MK-329 is an orally active antagonist of CCK-stimulated pancreaticobiliary output in man and could thus be utilized to explore the physiologic regulation of the exocrine pancreas and gallbladder by CCK.     

Receptors for pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide Comparison with vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a new member of the secretin glucagon-vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) family of peptides, being most homologous to VIP. PACAP exists in two amidated forms with 38 residues (PACAP38) and 27 residues (PACAP27), respectively. PACAP38 is the major form in tissues. There are two types of high-affinity receptors for PACAP: type I, which specifically binds to both PACAPs, and type II, which is shared with VIP. Type I PACAP receptors appear to have two subtypes: type IA, which binds to both PACAP38 and PACAP27, with slight preference for the latter, and type IB, with greater preference for PACAP38. Distribution of the type I PACAP receptor is different from that of VIP, and it is found in high concentrations in brain, spinal cord, anterior pituitary, adrenal medulla, spermatogonia at certain stages, mature spermatozoa, and some cell lines. Type II PACAP receptors are found in lung, liver, intestine, and other tissues, and their distribution is similar to that of the VIP receptor. Type II PACAP receptor might be similar to or identical with the VIP receptor.     

Endogenous nitric oxide mediates pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by secretin and cholecystokinin in rats

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the important biologic mediators in regulation of gastrointestinal (GI) functions, but the influence of NO on the release of secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK) and exocrine pancreatic secretion has not been adequately investigated in the rat. The aim of this study was to determine the role of NO on endogenous and exogenous secretin- or CCK-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion both in anesthetized and conscious rats. Experiments were carried out in four different groups of rats with duodenal pancreatobiliary cannulas and jugular vein catheters. Group 1: During duodenal infusion of 0.05N HCl or 15% casein (pH 7.0), N-nitro-L-arginine (NNA), an inhibitor of NO-synthase in graded doses (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg/h), was infused intravenously. Group 2: One hour after starting intravenous secretin at 5 pmol/kg/h or intravenous CCK-8 at 0.06 microg/kg/h, NNA in graded doses was administered intravenously. Group 3: In conscious rats, NNA (5 mg/kg/h) was given intravenously for 1 hour after a meal. Group 4: L-Arginine at 100 mg/kg/h was infused intravenously during the period of NNA (5 mg/kg/h) infusion in groups 1, 2, and 3. Pancreatic juice was collected at 30-minute intervals to measure volume, as well as output of bicarbonate and protein. At the end of the experiment, plasma secretin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and CCK levels were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). NNA dose dependently inhibited the pancreatic secretion of fluid and bicarbonate stimulated by duodenal acidification, exogenous secretin, and a meal. NNA dose dependently inhibited the pancreatic secretion of protein stimulated by duodenal infusion of casein, exogenous CCK, and a meal. L-Arginine significantly reversed the NNA-induced inhibition of pancreatic secretion in all experiments. NNA did not alter significantly the plasma levels of secretin, VIP, and CCK. Our results indicated that endogenous NO plays a significant role in the regulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by secretin and CCK. However, NO does not influence the release of secretin, VIP, or CCK in the rat.     

Receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in turkey cerebral cortex: characterization by [125I]-VIP binding and effects on cyclic AMP synthesis

Receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in turkey cerebral cortex were characterized using two approaches: (1) in vitro radioreceptor binding of [125I]-VIP, and (2) effects of peptides from the PACAP/VIP/secretin family on cyclic AMP formation. The binding of [125I]-VIP to turkey cortical membranes was rapid, stable, and reversible. Saturation analysis resulted in a linear Scatchard plot, suggesting binding to a single class of high affinity receptor binding sites with a Kd of 0.70 nM and a Bmax of 52 fmol/mg protein. Various peptides displaced the specific binding of 0.12 nM [125I]-VIP to turkey cerebral cortical membranes in a concentration-dependent manner. The relative rank order of potency of the tested peptides to inhibit [125I]-VIP binding to turkey cerebrum was: PACAP38 approximately PACAP27 approximately chicken VIP approximately mammalian VIP > PHI > secretin, chicken VIP16-28 (inactive). About 65% of specific [125I]-VIP binding sites in turkey cerebral cortex was sensitive to Gpp(NH)p, a nonhydrolysable analogue of GTP. PACAP38, PACAP27, chicken VIP and, to a lesser extent, mammalian VIP potently stimulated cyclic AMP formation in turkey cerebral cortical slices in a concentration-dependent manner, displaying EC50 values of 8.7 nM (PACAP38), 21.3 nM (PACAP27), 67.4 nM (chicken VIP), and 202 nM (mammalian VIP). On the other hand, PHI and secretin very weakly affected the nucleotide production. The obtained results indicate that cerebral cortex of turkey contains VPAC type receptors that are positively linked to cyclic AMP-generating system and are labeled with [125I]-VIP.     

Inhibition of Cholecystokinin-Stimulated Pancreaticobiliary Output in Man by the Cholecystokinin Receptor Antagonist MK-329

MK-329 (formerly L-364,718) is a new nonpeptide antagonist for the peripheral (type-A) Cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor, which has proved effective in blocking the actions of both exogenous and endogenous CCK in several species. To evaluate the effect of MK-329 on CCK-stimulated pancreaticobiliary output in man, six normal subjects received 10 mg MK-329 or placebo orally in a randomized, crossover fashion, before a background intravenous infusion of secretin (5 pmol/kg/h) and two doses of CCK-8 (approximately 15 and 40 pmol/kg/h, each for 1 h). Gastric and duodenal juice were aspirated separately via two double-lumen tubes, with ⁵¹Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as a duodenal marker. After placebo treatment the background infusion of secretin produced maximum plasma concentrations of secretin similar to postprandial values, averaging about 5pM. After placebo treatment the low dose CCK-8 infusion (15 pmol/kg/h) increased circulating CCK concentrations from basal levels of 1.8 ± 0.2 pM to levels similar to those observed postprandially, averaging 9.2 ± 1.3pM, and the high dose of CCK-8 (40 pmol/kg/h) induced supraphysiologic levels of CCK, averaging 23.4 ± 3.2 pM. Plasma concentrations of secretin and CCK were not significantly different during MK-329 treatment. As expected, infusion of CCK-8 at both doses stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion and gallbladder contraction in placebo controls, as indicated by increases in the output of trypsin, amylase, bicarbonate, and bilirubin. Whereas MK-329 did not significantly reduce basal pancreatic secretion, the integrated incremental output of trypsin, amylase, and bicarbonate in response to stimulation with the low (physiologic) CCK dose was inhibited by 74% (p < 0.01), 89% (NS), and 75% (p < 0.05), respectively. Basal bilirubin output was virtually abolished after treatment with MK-329, and the response to the low dose of CCK was reduced by 98% (p < 0.01), indicating almost complete inhibition of gallbladder contraction at physiologic circulating concentrations of CCK. It is concluded that MK-329 is an orally active antagonist of CCK-stimulated pancreaticobiliary output in man and could thus be utilized to explore the physiologic regulation of the exocrine pancreas and gallbladder by CCK.     

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide stimulates secretion in T84 cells.

Pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating peptide (PA-CAP) and PACAP-27 are novel hypothalamic peptides that can stimulate adenylate cyclase in cultured anterior pituitary cells. Because these peptides are present in the gut and are homologous with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), itself known to stimulate intestinal ion transport, we examined the effects of these peptides on the T84 colonocyte cell line. Using cells grown on semipermeable supports and mounted in Ussing chambers, we showed that PACAP and PACAP-27 potently activate intestinal secretion. The half-maximal secretory response was produced with 0.5 nmol/L PA-CAP and 0.1 nmol/L PACAP-27. PACAP resembled VIP in that it stimulated a secretory response potentiated by carbachol, inhibited by bumetanide and barium chloride, and not further stimulated by the subsequent addition of VIP. Like VIP, PACAP also stimulated 5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production and the phosphorylation of cellular proteins known to be substrates for cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In addition, PACAP inhibited 125I-VIP binding to T84 cells, and the secretion it stimulated was reduced by the VIP receptor antagonist, L-8-K. Thus PACAP and PACAP-27 potently stimulate colonocyte ion transport via mechanisms mediated by the VIP receptor and cAMP-dependent signaling.     

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating-peptide and its receptor antagonists in development of acute pancreatitis in rats

AIM: Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating-peptide (PACAP) is a late member of the secretin/glucagon/vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) family of brain-gut peptides. It is unknown whether PACAP takes part in the development of acute pancreatitis and whether PACAP or its antagonists can be used to suppress the progression of acute pancreatitis. We investigated the actions of PACAP and its receptor antagonists in acute pancreatitis on rats. METHODS: Acute pancreatitis was induced in rats with caerulein or 3.5% sodium taurocholate. The rats were continuously infused with 5-30 μg/kg PACAP via jugular vein within the first 90 min, while 10-100 μg/kg PACAP6-27 and (4-CI-D-Phe6, Leu17) VIP (PACAP receptor antagonists) were intravenously infused for 1 h. Biochemical and histopathological assessments were made at 4 h after infusion. Pancreatic and duodenal PACAP concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chinese ink-perfused pancreas was fixed, sectioned and cleared for counting the functional capillary density. RESULTS: PACAP augmented caerulein-induced pancreatitis and failed to ameliorate sodium taurocholate-induced pancreatitis. ELISA revealed that relative concentrations of PACAP in pancreas and duodenum were significantly increased in both sodium taurocholate- and caerulein-induced pancreatitis compared with those in normal controls. Unexpectedly, PACAP6-27 and (4-CI-D-Phe6, Leu17) VIP could induce mild acute pancreatitis and aggravate caerulein-induced pancreatitis with characteristic manifestations of acute hemorrhagic/necrotizing pancreatitis. Functional capillary density of pancreas was interpreted in the context of pancreatic edema, and calibrated functional capillary density (calibrated FCD), which combined measurement of functional capillary density with dry weight/wet weight ratio, was introduced. Hyperemia or congestion, rather than ischemia, characterized pancreatic microcirculatory changes in acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: PACAP may take part in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis in rats. The two PACAP receptor antagonsits might act as partial agonists. Calibrated functional capillary density can reflect pancreatic microcirculatory changes in acute pancreatitis.     

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide- and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-mediated control of catecholamine release from chromaffin tissue in the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

The aim of the present investigation was to assess the relative contributions of cholinergic (acetylcholine) and non-cholinergic vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) neurotransmitters in the neuronal control of catecholamine secretion from the chromaffin tissue lining the posterior cardinal vein of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Using an in situ saline-perfused posterior cardinal vein preparation, it was demonstrated that exogenous administration of chicken VIP or human PACAP-27 caused a dose-dependent increase in adrenaline secretion; noradrenaline secretion was unaffected. Analysis of dose-response curves indicated that VIP and PACAP stimulated the secretion of adrenaline with a similar degree of potency (ED(50) for VIP=1.90x10(-11) mol/kg; ED(50) for PACAP=1.03x10(-11) mol/kg). The VIP/PACAP-elicited secretion was diminished in the presence of the VIP receptor antagonist, VIP 6-28, but was unaffected by the PACAP receptor antagonist, PACAP 6-27, or the cholinergic antagonists, hexamethonium and atropine. Thus, this is the first study to demonstrate a direct stimulatory role for VIP or PACAP in catecholamine secretion from piscine chromaffin cells. The relative contribution of cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurotransmitters in the neuronal control of catecholamine secretion from the chromaffin tissue was evaluated using an in situ nerve-stimulating technique previously validated by us in the rainbow trout. This was accomplished by comparing catecholamine secretion in the presence or absence of cholinergic and the VIP and PACAP receptor antagonists during different levels of electrical stimulation. The results demonstrated that cholinergic stimulation predominated during high frequency of electrical stimulation (20 Hz) while the non-cholinergic component prevailed at low frequency (1 Hz). Overall, the results of the present investigation demonstrate that VIP and/or PACAP may directly stimulate adrenaline secretion from trout chromaffin cells at low levels of neuronal activity. Therefore, the neuronal control of catecholamine secretion in teleosts may not be confined to cholinergic-evoked events.     

Atropine abolishes the potentiation effect of secretin and cholecystokinin-octapeptide on exocrine pancreatic secretion in humans

Potentiating action between secretin and cholecystokinin on exocrine pancreatic secretion of bicarbonate has been well recognized. In the present study, we studied the effect of atropine on potentiating action on pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by exogenous secretin in physiologic dose and cholecystokinin-octapeptide in humans. Using a dye-dilution technique and a duodenal triple-lumen tube, pancreatic secretion of both bicarbonate and trypsin was determined while gastric juice was completely aspirated. Secretin given i.v. in a dose of 2.7 pmol/kg/h, which was known to achieve a similar plasma concentration of secretin after meal in humans, and cholecystokinin-octapeptide 26.2 pmol/kg/h potentiated pancreatic secretion of bicarbonate but not the pancreatic trypsin output. Atropine given i.v. in a dose of 1 mg/h abolished the potentiation effect of the two hormones on pancreatic bicarbonate output. Since the inhibitory effect of atropine on the secretin-stimulated bicarbonate output was statistically significant, the major inhibitory effect of atropine on the potentiation of pancreatic bicarbonate secretion appears to be its effect on the action of secretin.     

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide releases 7B2, adrenocorticotrophin, growth hormone and prolactin from the mouse and rat clonal pituitary cell lines AtT-20 and GH3.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide originally isolated from ovine hypothalami and so called because of its ability to stimulate pituitary adenylate cyclase activity. Alternative amidation and proteolytic processing of prepro-PACAP gives rise to two bioactive-amidated forms, PACAP-NH2(1-38) (PACAP-38) and PACAP-NH2(1-27) (PACAP-27). 7B2 is a polypeptide of 185 amino acids which is predominantly found in secretory granules and is widely distributed in rat and human tissues. We investigated the ability of the two forms of PACAP to stimulate GH, prolactin and 7B2 release by the rat pituitary clonal cell line GH3, and ACTH and 7B2 by the mouse pituitary clonal cell line AtT-20. PACAP-38 and PACAP-27 stimulated 7B2 and GH/prolactin or ACTH secretion with a similar efficacy over the 2-h incubation period from GH3 and AtT-20 cells respectively. 7B2 secretion was also stimulated by corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF-41) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in AtT-20 cells, and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and VIP in GH3 cells. Addition of PACAP to CRF-41 resulted in an additive effect on ACTH secretion and a synergistic effect on 7B2 secretion in AtT-20 cells. No synergism was observed when PACAP was added together with TRH, either on GH and prolactin secretion or on 7B2 release from GH3 cells. PACAP-mediated 7B2 secretion from both cell lines and PACAP-stimulated ACTH release from AtT-20 cells were reduced by 5 mg octapeptide synthetic somatostatin analogue/l (5 mg SMS 201-995/l).     

Human duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion. Evidence for basal secretion and stimulation by hydrochloric acid and a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue

The factors responsible for prevention of duodenal mucosal injury are not known. This series of experiments was performed to determine whether the human duodenum secretes bicarbonate that could prevent mucosal damage. To isolate a 4-cm segment of proximal (i.e., the duodenal bulb) or distal duodenum free of contamination from either gastric or pancreaticobiliary secretion, or both, methods were developed using occlusive balloons. The test segment was perfused with NaCl (2 ml/min, 37 degrees C) containing [14C]PEG as a nonabsorbable marker, and bicarbonate output was quantitated. Mean (+/- SE) basal proximal duodenal bicarbonate output was 143 +/- 17 mumol/cm X h. A 5-min infusion of 25, 50, and 100 mM HCl directly into the isolated proximal duodenal test segment increased bicarbonate output to 167 +/- 29, 199 +/- 19, and 278 +/- 49 mumol/cm X h, respectively, during the hour after acidification. Distal duodenal acidification (25, 50, and 100 mM) also increased bicarbonate output from the isolated proximal duodenal test segment. A synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue, misoprostol (1.67-13.3 micrograms/min), infused directly into proximal or distal test segments significantly stimulated bicarbonate outbreak; peak responses were 644 +/- 35 mumol/cm X h and 171 +/- 20 mumol/cm X h (p less than 0.001), respectively. Thus, in humans, the proximal and distal duodenal mucosa secretes bicarbonate at rest; direct acidification of the proximal duodenum stimulates bicarbonate output; acidification of the distal duodenum beyond the isolated test segment also increased proximal duodenal bicarbonate output; and a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue stimulated both proximal and distal bicarbonate output; however, distal duodenal bicarbonate output was significantly less, indicating a proximal-to-distal gradient in bicarbonate secretion.     

Plasma secretin and pancreatic bicarbonate response to exogenous secretin in man.

The dose response of duodenal bicarbonate production during synthetic porcine secretin infusions was studied in six healthy volunteers and related to plasma secretin immunoreactivity. Secretin was infused in each individual at four different doses from 0-1 to 2-7 CU/kg/h, each infusion lasting for 60 minutes. Mean maximal bicarbonate secretion was 33 +/- 4 mEq/h. The secretin plasma level for half maximal bicarbonate response was estimated to be 22 pmol/l. As this level is reported to be achieved by intraduodenal acidification in man, it is concluded that secretin may well play a part in the control of duodenal pH.